Free-spirited cafe server Holland Mulberry tackles life as the guardian of her autistic nephew, Riley. Armed with enough sunshine to offset the Minnesota winters, she commits to keeping Riley’s iron-clad routine in place for his well-being. Everything is going according to plan. Until the new, grumpy, head chef starts.
Type-A Shane Blackwood has had a year. After quitting law school, breaking up with his fiancée, and shattering his parents’ dreams, he accepts a chef position at his uncle’s cafe. He’s now focused on only his passion for art and his obsession with color-coding garnish. Proving to himself and his family that art is where he belongs, he has an aggressive one-year timeframe for opening an art gallery. There can be zero distractions. Especially not the adorable server Holland.
Dana Hawkins is a contemporary romance author of fun and sparkly stories. When not searching the country for the perfect cup of piping hot Americano, she spends her time chasing her kids and rewatching ’90s movies. After living for twenty years in Seattle, she recently trekked back to her hometown in Minnesota. She is a huge romance-genre book nerd and borderline obsessed with happy-ever-afters.
Keep a box of tissues close. Dana Hawkins does it again. This time, we follow Holland and Shane as they each navigate their own challenges amidst a brewing romance. Holland, guardian of her autistic nephew, has done everything in her power to create a stable life for Riley. Shane has fled from a life he didn't want to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. When these two meet at the diner where they both work, sparks fly. But both worry succumbing to the attraction could upend what both THINK they want. There are so many moments in this emotional journey that tears filled my eyes. Dana is GIFTED in making readers feel all the feels right along with the characters. If you are looking for a sweet romance with authentic autism representation this one is for you!
I've become a fan of Dana Hawkins's novels and this one doesn't disappoint! As always, I found myself rooting for her loveable characters and cheering when things work out for them.